Touching Spirit Bear

Book Sense Pick

California Young Reader Medal

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

Golden Archer Award (Wisconsin)

Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (North Dakota)

Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award (Minnesota)

Nevada Young Readers' Award

Beehive Award (Utah)

Golden Sower Award (Nebraska)

About the Book

After severely injuring Peter Driscal in an empty parking lot, mischief-maker Cole Matthews is in major trouble. But instead of jail time, Cole is given an alternative: a one-year banishment to a remote Alaskan island.

This program—called Circle Justice—is based on Native American traditions that provide healing for the criminal mind. To avoid serious jail time, Cole resolves to go.

While there, Cole is mauled by a mysterious white bear and left for dead. Thoughts of his abusive parents, helpless Peter, and his intense anger cause him to examine the root of his troubled ways and seek redemption—from the spirit bear that attacked him, from his victims, and from himself.

Author Ben Mikaelson delivers a poignant depiction of the vicious cycle of violence and one boy’s journey to healing.